9: Attitudes in the Kingdom (Mt 6:19-7:12)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

In this section of His teachings on the mount, the Lord instructed us about our attitudes toward material possessions, life, others, and God. In addition to providing us practical guidelines, He also guided His listeners to see the logic and reason behind His commands.

B.     Key Verse

            “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (6:24).

            “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (7:12).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.       Mammon (6:24): “Money” renders Greek mam-ona (“mammon”), itself a transliteration of Aramaic m-am^on-a, (in the emphatic state; “wealth,” “property”). The root in both Aramaic and Hebrew (’mn) indicates that in which one has confidence; and the connection with money and wealth, well attested in Jewish literature… is painfully obvious. Here it is personified. ^6/178

2.       Dogs (7:6): “Dogs” must not be thought of as household pets: in the Scriptures they are normally wild, associated with what is unclean, despised…. ^6/185

3.       Swine (7:6): The “pigs” are not only unclean animals but wild and vicious, capable of savage action against a person. ^6/185

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(6:19-24)

(19-20)

(21-24)

(6:25-34)

(25-30)

(31-34)

(7:1-6)

(1-2)

(3-5)

(6)

(7:7-11)

(7-8)

(9-11)

(12)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. General Analysis

List the reasons for the following teachings:

1a. Lay up treasures in heaven:

1b. Do not worry:

1c. Do not judge:

1d. Ask, seek, knock:

2. Jesus made use of many comparisons and contrasts to bring out His teachings. Write down the comparisons and contrasts that you notice.

IV.  Segment Analysis

A.     6:19-24

1a.What does it mean to love or serve mammon?

1b.Why can’t we serve both God and mammon? Can we love one without hating the other?

1c.How do we “hate” or “despise” mammon?

1d.How should we lay up treasures in heaven?

2.Why did Jesus talk about the eye when teaching about storing up treasures? What was He referring to?

B.     6:25-34

1. How can we seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness?

C.     7:1-6

1. When we assert a certain view on something, we inevitably make a judgment about others who do not conform to our principles. So does the Lord’s teaching about not judging others include standing up for our moral principles?

2. Explain the analogy of giving what is sacred to the dogs and throwing pearls to the pigs.

D.     7:7-11

1. What actions and attitudes does each of the following involve?

1a. Ask

1b. Seek

1c. Knock

2. In the context of this passage, what are we to ask, seek, or knock for?